Kolkata: A youth today assaulted a traffic constable in central Kolkata after the constable denied turning the signal green so that he could be in time for an Iftar party.

The incident took place today afternoon at Terreti Bazar Crossing, barely 300 metres from Lalbazar ~ the headquarters of Kolkata Police. The assaulted constable, Bhutnath Gayen, has suffered injuries in his hand and has been hospitalised.

According to Gayen, he was on duty at the Terreti Bazar Crossing traffic signal today afternoon. During this, along with other vehicles, a car stopped at the spot as the signal was red.

A youth in the car peeped out and asked the constable to turn the signal green for he was getting late for an Iftar party. The constable said that he could not do so out of turn as it will lead to traffic snarls on the connected road and added that there are people in other vehicles who too may be heading for an Iftar.

The response turned the youth angry. He got down from the car and started beating the constable. “He served me blows on my chest and arms, which left me bleeding from the hand. My umbrella also was broken,” Gayen said.

On learning about the incident, a sergeant rushed in from Lalbazar traffic guard and brought the situation under control. But the youth who assaulted the constable sped away and police have not been able to nab him till late in the night. He is said to be the son of an affluent businessman at Bowbazar.

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